Fly River

President of Ok Tedi Mine Impacted Area Association (OTMIAA) Nick Bunn on behalf of the people of Western Province thanked the Government for the 33% direct shareholder holding in Ok Tedi Mine and says the shares will empower the people of Western to participate in the Ok Tedi Board and make decisions for its people.

“We would like to see decisions are made at the ward levels on how this funds are used for development purposes in the village and ward level.”

A concerned public servant in Tabubil who declined to be named told Loop PNG that the “situation is getting worse as no government assistance is reaching Tabubil” the home of the giant Ok Tedi mine.   

“Fuel is a problem, we are facing fuel crisis.”

The source added that vehicles in a day wanting to refill are allowed to only buy K30.

Also buying of food in three major supermarkets is the same, customers are only allowed to buy one packet of store food each in a day.

And the season will continue until May 2016.

El Nino has fully developed and continues to strengthen according to Jimmy Gomoga, action assistant Director of the Weather office.

“All El Nino events are different and their strengths do not necessarily indicate the kind of impact it will have on the country,” he told LOOP PNG.

Ok Tedi Mine Ltd announced this morning that it was preparing a temporary shutdown of mine operations because of the dry season and its effects on supplies coming up the river and on the hydro power supply.

A short time ago, Warren Dutton told Facebook that the river level at downstream Kiunga was 10.61 metres this morning “and rising’’.

The former North Fly Member of Parliament and businessman said: “All OTML vessels (except any which missed the channel) are moving again.’’